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Sri Lanka Visa for United States Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

US citizens need a Sri Lanka Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before travel — apply online at eta.gov.lk; tourist ETA costs USD 50, usually approved within minutes to 24 hours.

Guide last updated October 2, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival
  • A completed online ETA application (eta.gov.lk) — no paper form
  • A digital passport-style photo upload (JPEG, white background) for the online application
  • Proof of onward/return ticket
  • Proof of accommodation for your stay
  • No biometrics required for the ETA itself; fingerprints are not collected on arrival for most tourist entries
  • Travel health insurance is recommended, not mandatory

Visa types

  • Tourist ETA — single entry, valid 30 days from arrival, extendable up to 6 months total at the Department of Immigration in Colombo, fee USD 50
  • Business ETA — single or double entry, 30 days, fee USD 50 (single) / USD 100 (double)
  • Transit ETA — for layovers under 2 days, free of charge
  • Visa on arrival at the airport is only available in limited circumstances (e.g., ETA system outage) and costs more than the online ETA

Visa on arrival

  • Primary route: apply through the official ETA portal (eta.gov.lk) before you fly — approval usually arrives by email within a few minutes to 24 hours
  • Pay the USD 50 tourist ETA fee online by credit/debit card
  • Print or save the ETA approval email/PDF and present it with your passport at Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo) immigration
  • If you arrive without a pre-approved ETA, airport immigration can in some cases issue one on the spot for a higher fee — this should not be relied on as the default plan
  • Keep your ETA approval reference number; you'll need it for any extension application

Fees & processing time

  • Tourist ETA (single entry): USD 50, paid online
  • Business ETA: USD 50 (single) or USD 100 (double entry)
  • Processing: most applications are approved within a few minutes; allow up to 24 hours before travel to be safe
  • Extension at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo: additional fee (roughly USD 75–100 depending on duration), 1–3 working days to process
  • No separate service/agency fee if applying directly through the official eta.gov.lk portal — avoid third-party sites that charge markups

Tips for United States travelers

  • Apply for your ETA at least a few days before departure, not at the last minute, in case of payment or verification delays
  • Use only the official eta.gov.lk site — many lookalike third-party sites charge inflated service fees
  • Double-check the spelling of your name and passport number on the ETA application; mismatches are a common rejection reason
  • Carry a printed copy of your ETA approval as a backup in case of connectivity issues at the airport
  • If you plan to extend beyond 30 days, start the extension process in Colombo before your initial permit expires

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

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This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.